Crystal Palace must swoop again for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in January

Ruben Loftus-Cheek has played an embarrassing total of just 33 Premier League minutes for Chelsea this season, suggesting the Blues’ lack of focus on the England international’s development.

Loftus-Cheek, who starred this summer in Russia for the Three Lions, has now fallen out of the England set-up and must seek a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge in order to further his career.

Crystal Palace should make a bid for the 22-year-old in January and reunite Loftus-Cheek with Roy Hodgson, and the Palace manager recently praised the midfielder when speaking with Sky Sports on Friday.

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“When the day comes when he becomes available for transfer we will be sticking our nose into that,” Hodgson said, indicating the Eagles’ continued interest in Loftus-Cheek.

The Chelsea player enjoyed an impressive 2017/18 campaign on loan at Selhurst Park, performing admirably for Palace and playing a large part in the club’s late revival that eventually steered them to an 11th-placed finish.

The south London club would do well to make an improved, permanent bid for Loftus-Cheek, as he would add superb steel and craft to the Palace midfield while gaining vital first-team minutes.

Max is a journalist studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Max specialises in English football and co-hosts a weekly podcast. He is also a politics reporter and deputy news editor for The Daily Pennsylvanian.